FreeGoalZ: 9/21 Goal.com News - English

Goal.com News - English - America

Real Madrid's Ricardo Carvalho eyes Champions League glory

September 20, 2011 at 9:45 AM

Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho has set his sights on getting to the Champions League final this season.

"We reached the semifinals last season, which means we did well, but we want to do better this year," he told Madrid's official website in an interview. "We'll need to be in the final if we want the trophy.

Madrid has won the competition nine times in its illustrious history, but the club's last success was in 2002. Since then, the Spanish side has reached the semifinals only twice, in 2003 and again last year, when it lost to Barcelona.

And Carvalho believes they can go one better this time around.

"After the present stage we'll play two games in each ensuing round and you have to play very well in both," he added. "You can't afford to do well in one and then so-so or badly in the other. We'll have to give good performances in both and also have a little luck to go through."

Carvalho, a Champions League winner with Jose Mourinho's Porto in 2004, has linked up with his compatriot for a third time after their spell at Chelsea, and the defender is a big fan of his boss.

"He works on every single detail and very well on a daily basis. He wants you to improve every day," he said. "It's only normal that you grow as a player, and also as a man, when you work with him. I'm very proud of working with him for such a long time. It's special to be next to him."

Carvalho, 33, is currently in his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: Nani's best years are yet to come

September 20, 2011 at 9:06 AM

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that Nani's best years are ahead of him after the winger's stunning goal against Chelsea in the Premier League champions' 3-1 victory over its title rivals.

"Nani's marvelous, he was brilliant today [Sunday], absolutely brilliant," Ferguson told MUTV. "He's a terrific player, the lad, and he's starting to mature. We're going to get the best years out of him, no doubt."

The 24-year-old has been in good form so far this season, and after an impressive haul of goals and assists in last year's campaign that led to him being crowned Manchester United Players' Player of the Season, the Portuguese has been highly praised by his manager.

Sunday's game at Old Trafford was Nani's 100th, and he has scored 19 goals and picked up 34 assists in that time; a better record than that of Cristiano Ronaldo in the same point in his United career.

My style of play is perfect for the English Premier League, says Chelsea-target Marco Parolo

September 20, 2011 at 8:06 AM

Cesena midfielder Marco Parolo has voiced his opinion that he would fit in perfectly in the English Premier League or the Bundesliga as he has the characteristics to impress on other competitons besides the Italian top flight.

"I am not your traditional Italian midfielder as I have a lot of different characteristics than others. I really admire Liverpool's Steven Gerrard. The Premier League and the Bundesliga are leagues where they play a type of football that's very similar to my style," Parolo told Goal.com.

The Italy international was linked with clubs such as Inter, Lazio and Cagliari in the summer transfer window, while Chelsea allegedly made an unsuccessful move for him on transfer deadline day.

"Chelsea are a very big club and I still have plenty of progress to make before I'm ready for a team like them. Let's not get carried away and take one step at a time. I'm feeling very well at Cesena for now and want to repay them for the faith they've shown in me," said Parolo.

Parolo then stated that he considers AC Milan to be the favorites to win the Serie A title again as he feels the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be vital.

"I'd say that Milan are most likely to win the Scudetto, because they have Ibrahimovic. The title seems to go wherever he plays, so I have to say Milan are the favorites."